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I'm sitting here with a little bowl of Life cereal. The cinnamon kind.

I couldn't fall asleep. The to-do's are too busy racing around in my mind.

December is just so busy. Everyone's lists of things to do are a mile long. I know I'm in good company. There are lots of gifts to buy/give, cookies to bake, places to go, cards to send, things to wrap, movies to watch, etc. I don't want to forget anything. Or miss anything. Or leave anything out.

It's hard not to feel frantic. Or behind. Or like I wish it was December 1st again. I think I'd be happy to rewind a few months, actually!

Today I was grateful for a simple sharing time in Primary. We got to talk about remembering Jesus during the sacrament. In those few minutes of reading scriptures about our Savior, I felt his love. I felt grateful. I know that simply remembering Him, his birth, life, death, example, atonement, and LOVE -- will help me feel peace and calm and happiness.

I read this quote today from Thomas S. Monson:

"Let us make Christmas real. It isn't just tinsel and ribbon, unless we have made it so in our lives. Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. It is peace because we have found peace in the Savior's teachings. It is the time we realize most deeply that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for others."

It's 7:17 p.m., we've just returned from getting a little frozen yogurt for our family home evening treat.

Dave and I are sitting on the couch waiting for the rest of the family to join us for a tiny little lesson.

We observe:

Kate in the playroom with a stack of books. Mostly Little Critter books, her new favorite. She reads them to herself... her voice inflection makes me laugh, it's so cute.

Tanner is sitting at the computer, silently trying to get through his pre-calculus. He knows we are of no use to him when it comes to pre-calc.

Brynley comes out of her room, moaning about her English assignment. She's supposed to write about the meaning of her name, why her parents named her that, compare and contrast it with something. She's annoyed that we didn't name her something that means something. Why did we pick a name that means "hill"? Why can't her name mean "brave" or "fabulous" or "brilliant"?? She is getting a little worked up about this!

Bridger is yelling from his bathroom that he just dropped a Playmobil guy in the toilet. The toilet that wasn't... flushed. We yell back that he needs to come get some gloves on and fish the poor guy out. This process doesn't end well.

Ellie is running around laughing, asking questions, telling me about her dream last night, etc., etc.

Dave and I just stare at each other, quietly giving up on the lesson... just hoping for a prayer.

This afternoon as Bridger and Kate were racing from the back door to the front door (over and over and over and over), Kate looked up at Bridger mid-run and said, "You're my best friend, Bridger (which actually sounds more like Bridge-a)." Then, Bridger put his arm around her and they finished their race.

And last week, as Bridger was about to leave for school, Kate hugged him and started whimpering, "I don't want you to go to school!!"

I don't want this to be like false advertising... they definitely have their unloving, name calling, mean moments. BUT, they really do have a special relationship. Since the very first day of Kate's little life, Bridger has been tender. Protective. By her side. I love watching them.

We wish we could be there tonight to share some chocolate cake and a rootbeer freeze!

I asked each of the kids to share a little birthday message. In their own words:

Tanner - "I love Pop's kindness to everyone, his humility, and ability to forget himself and perform endless acts of service."

Brynley - "Pop is one of the most influential men in my life. His loving words have always put a smile on my face. I am proud to call him my grandfather. He has such a happy and positive attitude. Pop is a very big role model in my life. Happy birthday, Pop! I love you!"

Ellie - "Pop is super, super, super nice. He is really loving and caring. Everyone can tell he is happy. He's so funny! He's a good maker -- like he helped us make our bows and arrows. He helps kids get on their horses. He takes a joke. He is the greatest Pop in the world."

Bridger - "He lets us ride his horses. He lets us sleep in his four houses. He's so nice to me. He has a really nice truck. He bakes good bacon and pancakes. I love him because he's my Pop."

Kate - "Happy birthday! Can I go to the ranch?"

I have always felt so blessed AND lucky to be my father's daughter. There is so much to love about my dad. A couple things I've been thinking about...

He's always been generous. As a teenager, I appreciated his generosity with money :) But, now that I'm old I appreciate his true generosity so much more. He's so giving with his time- willing to help, serve and teach. During the summer months alone, he should win some sort of award for saddling/unsaddling horses for his adoring grandkids and nieces and nephews. He is generous with his love. I've always known of his love for me. He tells me. He shows me.

He can tell a story like no other. He has a gift with words.

My dad is funny. Truly funny.

I've always loved to hear my dad pray. One of my favorite memories is waking up every morning at 5 to get ready for seminary and walking into the kitchen to eat breakfast. I could always count on seeing my dad kneeling at the couch in prayer. Always.

He appreciates macaroni and cheese. And burned chocolate chip cookies.

I guess that's enough for this birthday. Better save something for next year! :)

This morning, Ellie had her try on many outfits, but in the end she wanted to wear a dress we got a couple weeks ago that I called her "preschool dress" -- I'm hoping she doesn't think she has to wear it EVERY preschool day.

Right before we walked into preschool, I made her take a picture...

I think that's her nervous smile.

She walked in and never looked back.

I spent my two hours at Sams Club AND Costco. Banner day!

All of our kids (except Tanner) have gone to Miss Kris for preschool. We sure love her. She is the happiest, kindest, most thoughtful, patient, loving person.

When we were in the car, I asked Kate how her day was. She said:

"We painted and colored. And Miss Kris's house smells like BUBBLEGUM!"

The other day when I was putting Kate down for her nap, we were laying in her bed when she sat up all of a sudden and said, "I need to go hit some balls!" This was such an unusual request, that I let her get up and followed her to see what she was talking about.

She went outside and gathered up all the golf balls into a little pile and started putting. For about 15 minutes she'd putt, then gather. I just watched, knowing how proud her dad would be. His last hope for a girl's college golf scholarship. She's going to need it! The last of five kids... there will be no more college money! :)

I love the start of a new school year. One of my favorite days of the summer is when Target sets up the back to school section. New pencils! New folders! New binders! Fresh crayons! Organizing! It's better than starting a new year!

We did all of our usual things to get ready for the new school year. I took each of the kids on a back to school date: lunch & shopping.

Ellie - Panera, Gap, Target, the mall. She got new uniform skirts (she refuses to wear pants or shorts right now, new teal Converse, and a new backpack. She really wanted some fake glasses at Claire's, but I was mean and said no.)

Bridger - Chipotle (for the third year in a row), Target and the mall. He was the easiest. He just wanted a new backpack and new shoes. We found some new uniform pants that weren't too loose OR too short and bought 4 pair. Done.

Tanner - KoMex and the mall. Definitely the most expensive child. We ended up just getting new shoes and a new shirt. He later went shopping with a friend and picked up a few more things. I can't believe he's a junior.

Brynley - We didn't do Bryn's date until the Friday before school started. She was a little worried we'd waited too long and we wouldn't have enough time to find her some cute stuff. We went to the Fashion Show and had just enough success! Dinner at Grimaldi's, clothes mostly from Urban Outfitters. Also an expensive child :)

Kate - Technically, she didn't get a date. We were at Target one afternoon with Brynley and Bryn talked her into a Sofia the First backpack. That lights up! It's pretty amazing.

The first day pictures:

First up, Bridger and Ellie. They started school the week before Tanner and Brynley. 2nd grade and 6th (!!!) grade.

Tanner and Brynley = Junior and Freshman. Bright and early at 5:45 as they were racing out the door to seminary.

After school for a couple more pictures:

Kate on the first day of school, trying to catch flies and peeling oranges:

Monday night, Dave gave each of the children a beautiful blessing. Really, my most favorite part of back to school.

Last week I spent a few minutes looking through our blog, trying to find pictures of Kate's nursery. That little task took me back through Kate's first year. Besides making me want another baby (just for a minute!), it made me want to revisit blogging. So, I'm committing. Committing to recording the little bits and pieces that make up our life. Committing to taking more pictures. Committing to being more aware of the stories that happen every day and actually writing them down.

I wish every day in December was filled with good cheer, hot chocolate, peace, and merry-ness. But today was just a normal day. Errands, laundry, homework, taxi-ing, etc. We did read our daily Christmas book. And my mom came tonight! That's definitely happy!!

2. Some days, she decides she wants to wear underwear. It's just part of her costume changes. I'm really not anxious for potty training.

3. Tanner took Bridger to basketball practice tonight. Having a new driver DEFINITELY has its perks. They even went to Taco Bell after. (Mostly due to the fact that neither one of them wanted any of the zucchini casserole I made for dinner. Whatever.)

4. For our Christmas activity tonight, we had a snowball fight. Have you seenthese? Very fun.